Air India gives an ultimatum to its staff to vacate housing colonies by July 26

Tata Group-owned Air India has asked its staff to vacate the government-owned housing colonies by July 26, according to an official document.

The Tata Group won the bid for Air India on October 8, 2021. However, as per the terms of disinvestment, the airline's non-core assets such as housing colonies remain with the government. Air India has two major housing colonies -- one in Delhi and the other in Mumbai.

"We are now in receipt of an e-mail dated May 17, 2022, from Air India Assets Holding Ltd (AIAHL) advising us to send a reminder to the residents to vacate the company accommodation latest by July 26 in line with the decision of Air India Specific Alternative Mechanism (AISAM), which has already been conveyed to them," said an order issued by Air India on May 18.

The recent order by Air India

"In line with the above directions of AIAHL, a draft of the notice to be issued to the occupants of the company accommodation is attached," it added.

AIAHL was set up in 2019 by the Centre for handling debt by selling non-core assets of the Air India group after its disinvestment.

A group of ministers called AISAM -- headed by Home Minister Amit Shah and including Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and Civil Aviation Minster Jyotiraditya Scindia -- handled the disinvestment of Air India.

Air India gives an ultimatum to its staff to vacate housing colonies by July 26

The decision has not gone down well with the staff members staying there, with employee unions protesting the move and planning to approach the High Court against the eviction notices. The issue is now pending before the labour commissioner's office, which had initiated a conciliation process.

ALSO READ - Air India employees plan to go to the Bombay HC to protest eviction from staff quarters

The employees have demanded that they should be allowed to live in the quarters till their retirement. The first of the quarters was constructed by Air India in 1955.

The land on which these colonies stand belongs to the state government, which leased it to the government-owned Airports Authority of India (AAI) and thereafter to Mumbai International Airport Ltd (MIAL), currently under the Adani Group of Companies.

“Any unauthorised occupation of accommodation in contravention of period permissible would attract penal rent equivalent to the sum of normal occupancy charges and double the market rent for the period of unauthorised occupancy. In addition to that, such an employee would be liable to pay damage charges of INR 10 lakh and INR 15 lakh for accommodation in Delhi and Mumbai respectively. The penalty would be recovered from arrear and any other financial benefit accruable to such employee."Aviation Ministry to Air India befor disinvestment

Those who fail to vacate Air India colonies within the timelines will have their retirement/service benefits or any financial benefit accrued put on hold.

ALSO READ – Air India employees asked to vacate quarters

The same will be released only after a peaceful vacation in the accommodation. “Any liable charges, penal rent or damage charges would be recovered” from them.

Air India is in talks with members of Star Alliance including America's United Airlines for codeshare agreements to increase its global footprint.

“The airline is stepping up on its global ambitions and wants to give flyers a seamless experience of overseas travel. This is part of refurbishing the brand and product”, The Economic Times reported adding talks with United have been going on for the last few months.

When asked about talks with Air India on a code share agreement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said there is “nothing to announce”. He was speaking on the sidelines of the annual general meeting of the International Air Transport Association, Doha. Kirby didn't elaborate.

When asked about talks with Air India on a code share agreement, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said there is “nothing to announce”.

The airline signed its last such agreement with Fiji Airways in 2019. Both Air India and United are members of Star Alliance, a 26-member global airline group whose members work between themselves to share metal, passengers and even airport amenities.

Air India is revamping its back-end ticket reservation system and transitioning from service provider SITA to Amadeus. A second person in the know said the transition is almost complete with only the airport leg of waiting to be set up. It will be completed by the end of June or July, he added.

Air India, under its new owners, the Tata group, is trying to address massive glitches in customer support and product experience even as it draws up plans for fleet enhancement.

Air India in talks with fellow Star Alliance members for codeshare agreements

ALSO READ - Air India prepares to add more than 200 aircraft; the most significant order in a long time

The person cited above said the airline plans to order more than 200 narrow and wide-bodied planes, that will join its fleet in the next 4-5 years. It is in advanced rounds of discussions to place an order for Airbus A350 wide-bodied and A321 narrow-bodied planes.

ALSO READ – Air India to add A350 aircraft to its fleet; first aircraft likely by 2023

Air India plans to open multiple hubs across India over the coming years to help capture the surging demand in the country’s domestic market and drive an ambitious international expansion strategy under its new owner TATA group.

Air India has the strategy already in place where they have a hub in Delhi for all our long-haul and our short-haul markets.

Air India has the strategy already in place where they have a hub in Delhi for all our long-haul and our short-haul markets. This is expected to grow because going forward, management’s thought and vision are to create several hubs in India, which would facilitate growth in each of the regions.

ALSO READ - Air India eyes Multiple Hubs, International Expansion

Expanding its international footprint means acquiring more aircraft. International aircraft manufacturers have started wooing Indian carriers with their latest offerings.

In a letter to employees, its new CEO, Campbell Wilson said the airline’s best days are yet to come. Wilson was a veteran at Singapore Airlines and the mind behind its long-haul low-cost airline Scoot. Campbell wrote about the airline’s legacy and his own memories of flying on board a Boeing 747 plane in 1995.

“We should rightly celebrate this legacy and these contributions, but we must also have our gaze focussed squarely on the future. India's potential is vast in myriad areas and you know as well as I the long-term posture and performance culture of Tata Group. You know as well as I that, in any organisation, there are areas that can be improved upon. I'll meet as many employees as I can over the next few weeks."Campbell Wilson, CEO, Air India

The Tata group took over the airline in October 2021 and has overhauled its top management as one of the first steps.

(With Inputs from The Economic Times)

In a big move to ease air traffic, the Union ministry of civil aviation (MoCA) has planned to open a new airport in Chennai. Civil aviation minister Jyotiraditya Scindia said the central government will hold a 51% stake in the airport at a whopping investment of INR 40,000 crore, the second in the southern metropolis.

The proposed airport, which is likely to operate flights to eight international destinations, is expected to employ at least 1.5 lakh persons in the next eight years.

The government has identified two sites in Pannur and Parandur, and the work is expected to commence by the end of 2022. “However, no fixed time for commencement of the airport work has been decided as of now,” said a civil aviation ministry official.

Construction of the second airport in Chennai to begin soon; Centre to hold the majority stake

MoCA said that the Airports Authority of India (AAI) has found two sites which are more feasible for airport projects as per the availability of air space and other factors.

A team of experts from the AAI and Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) inspected four locations – Padalam, Pannur, Thiruporur and Parandur – a few months ago, following which a pre-feasibility report was prepared and recommendations were made.

ALSO READ - 2 sites shortlisted for the development of a second airport in Chennai

Officials said that depending on the site selected by the state government and MoCA, a detailed Obstacle Limitation Surface (OLS) survey, techno-economic feasibility study and other mandatory reports will be prepared.

While Pannur and Parandur have been identified for the project, Scindia said the work for the project will start by early September this year.

However, both Pannur and Parandur have issues such as extra high-tension pylons, mobile towers and electrical poles in the vicinity of the site.

While Pannur and Parandur have been identified for the project, Scindia said the work for the project will start by early September this year. “By 2024 Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the second airport in Chennai. This is the dream of Modi, let me fulfil it,” Scindia has said.

A greenfield airport for Chennai requires at least 2,000-3,000 acres of land. Now, TIDCO will hold discussions with the state government on the next course of action for choosing a site.

A greenfield airport for Chennai requires at least 2,000-3,000 acres of land.

Thiruporur will be the closest to the existing Chennai airport in Tirusulam and the travel time is about a little over an hour while it takes nearly an hour-and-a-half to commute from the present airport to Pannur and Padalam. Parandur will be the farthest and it will be a two-hour journey from Tirusulam.

ALSO READ - Chennai airport could soon become the hub for dismantling and repairing aircraft

There were discussions for a scaled-down facility on 2,000 acres or a full-fledged facility on around 4,500 acres. There were also discussions within AAI to move international flights to the new airport and develop it into an ‘aero city’ with MRO (maintenance, repair and overhaul) unit and aviation ancillary industries.

SpiceJet on May 25 informed of an attempted ransomware attack last night, which slowed down its operations and impacted morning flight departures. The airline posted this update on Twitter a short while ago.

"Certain SpiceJet systems faced an attempted ransomware attack last night that impacted and slowed down morning flight departures today. Our IT team has contained and rectified the situation and flights are operating normally now," it said.

Several people said they were left waiting at the airport or stranded inside the plane with no updates from the airline.

https://twitter.com/flyspicejet/status/1529296241305460736

“At airport since 5 am, no proactive notifications for the delay when the attack attempt was detected at night,” one person wrote on Twitter in a sentiment echoed by hundreds of other SpiceJet passengers who say they have been stuck for hours.

Passengers, however, have refuted the airline’s claim of flights operating normally. One Twitter user, Mudit Shejwar, said he had been stuck for nearly four hours inside a flight that was neither cancelled nor taking off. “Neither cancelling nor operating, sitting in the flight, not even the airport,” he wrote, adding that the airline had not even provided stranded passengers with food.

Passengers took to Twitter to air their grievances, claiming that SpiceJet had not communicated any updates about the delay in flights.

SpiceJet under attack by ransomware; morning flights affected

ALSO READ - SpiceJet to introduce inflight internet services

This comes after just days ago, SpiceJet informed that it hopes to start broadband internet service on its planes soon.

In his email to employees on the 17th anniversary of the airline, CMD Ajay Singh said the carrier continues to fly with the highest loads month after month and expects to soar even higher in the coming months.

The airline has a fleet of 91 aircraft, out of which 13 are Max planes and 46 are older versions of Boeing 737 aircraft, according to its website.

SpiceJet flights were held up at the Delhi airport for some time last week as there was a delay in daily payment to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the airline.

ALSO READ - Multiple SpiceJet flights halted by Delhi ATC for non-payment of daily airport user fees to AAI

Meanwhile, some SpiceJet flights were held up at the Delhi airport for some time last week as there was a delay in daily payment to the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by the airline. The airline's spokesperson said the daily payment was delayed due to a software glitch and the flights are now operating normally.

In the "cash and carry" model, the airline has to make daily payments to the AAI for various charges -- navigation, landing, parking, and others -- to operate flights.

Jet Airways on June 24 opened hiring for cabin crew members. Posting on Twitter, Jet Airways asked former cabin crew members to join the airline once more as it prepares to start operations after going bankrupt in 2019.

“There’s really nothing like home! Inviting former Jet Airways cabin crew to come back and join us in relaunching India's classiest airline,” the company tweeted, adding that it was currently only hiring a female crew. Jet added that it would be recruiting male cabin crew as it slowly scaled up operations and hiring.

https://twitter.com/jetairways/status/1540187713034661888

Retweeting the airline’s announcement, Jet Airways CEO Sanjiv Kapoor wrote, “Our operational hiring has commenced, with a call out to former Jet crew. Commencement of hiring for pilots and engineers to follow in the coming days, when we make our aircraft choice reveal. (We were waiting for the Twitter poll results and advice from all armchair CEOs).” 

Within just hours of posting the advertisement, the company had received over 700 CVs in response. “In the 5 hours since we posted this on social media, over 700 CVs were received. Heartwarming and emotional for all of us. Here's to making history together!” said CEO Sanjiv Kapoor.

https://twitter.com/TheSanjivKapoor/status/1540269541686538240

Jet Airways is in the process of restarting operations after the Jalan-Kalrock consortium emerged as winning bidders for the company during its insolvency process. The consortium has said Jet would start flights in 2022.

Part of the Jet Airways' revival strategy has been bolstered by loyal employees, many of whom have once again jumped at the opportunity to be associated with an airline that had dominated Indian skies in the early 2010s.

Jet Airways invites former cabin crew to return; receives over 700 CVs in 5 hours

“At present, we are more than 200 of us at Jet Airways. Of this, more than two-thirds are former Jet Airways staff. We will soon begin recruiting for operational roles (crew, engineers, technicians, etc.),” Kapoor had stated in an interview.

The Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had granted Jet Airways a revalidated Air Operator Certificate (AOC), which lets it fly commercial flights once more. Jet 2.0 will be facing another new airline, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala-backed Akasa Air. 

Jet Airways last flew on April 17, 2019, when it was owned by Naresh Goyal. It was forced to suspend operations due to financial problems.

Jet Airways last flew on April 17, 2019, when it was owned by Naresh Goyal.

Jalan-Kalrock Consortium is the current promoter of Jet Airways and the airline intends to start commercial flight operations in the July-September quarter.

ALSO READ - Jet Airways returning with a hybrid premium and no-frills model, first flight likely by October 2022

The airline is planning to return with a hybrid of premium and low-cost services. It will have a two-class configuration where business class passengers will be offered services including free meals, while economy class flyers will pay for meals and other services.

The locally designed and developed aviation high-speed ‘Micro Turbomachine’ by IIT Madras and GE Aviation (GE) under a joint innovation program, which started in 2016, has now entered the testing phase.

The testing is being done at National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL). IIT Madras and GE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in 2016 to collaborate on research and development.

GE Aviation, an operating unit of multinational conglomerate GE, is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components, and systems for commercial and military aircraft.

https://twitter.com/GEIndia/status/1539583055782096896

The locally designed and developed aviation high-speed ‘Micro Turbomachine’, which is an important step towards technology maturation, is being tested at National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL).

“The development of Micro Turbomachine is a shining example of academia-industry collaboration to drive innovation in India. It was designed and developed as part of Ucchatar Avaishkar Yojana (UAY) launched by the Government of India to promote industrial innovation of a higher order that addresses the needs of local industry.We are excited to see the enhanced aviation testing facilities at NAL. Testing is an important part of product development cycle, and we are delighted to work with NAL on testing the locally designed and developed Micro Turbomachine."Alok Nanda, CEO, GE India Technology Centre and CTO GE South Asia

During the product design process, GE and engineers and researchers of IIT Madras researchers worked together to develop a local aviation supplier ecosystem for the manufacture of high-precision and high-speed turbomachinery that adhered to global aviation industry manufacturing standards.

Two local aviation industry companies Pragati Transmission and Turbocam India participated in the manufacture and assembly of the prototype.

“The project was conceived by Late Professor B V S S Prasad (former head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT-M). His team of talented researchers and faculty members could meet the demands and challenges of developing the Micro Turbomachine. It took us months to conduct several simulations necessary to arrive at the optimum design of the product.Further, test rigs were designed and developed with active collaboration between IITM and GE teams. Throughout the process, the researchers were in touch with GE Aviation engineers and there was a free and friendly exchange of knowledge between them."Prof. A Seshadri Sekhar, principal investigator of the project and the current Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department, IIT Madras

There is a Versatile Turbine Test Rig (VTTR) at NAL which is for high-speed turbine testing up to 50,000 rpm & 500 kW power. It will be used for the performance evaluation of micro turbomachine. We are proud to be part of the journey towards technology maturation.

Testing for 'Micro Turbomachine' a joint innovation project between IIT Madras and GE Aviation begins at NAL

This, according to Jitendra J Jadhav, Director, CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories, will be used for performance evaluation of Micro Turbomachine which has been jointly developed by IIT-M and GE.

An investment of about INR 10 crore (or USD 100 million) was funded over the last five years, of which 75% was funded by IIT Madras through the UAY (Uchchatar Avishkar Yojana) scheme of the Government of India and 25% by GE.